"That is a statement I would challenge very strongly. They say leopards never change their spots."
"They also say that reformed rakes make the best husbands."
"Oh dear, it really is rather absurd. Do you think you can handle it, Cordelia?"
"Yes, I do. I'll take the girls with me and insist on their being present."
"I am sure he will try to outwit you in some way."
"He has dope that on one or two occasions, but I think he will get tired of it when I show him clearly that I do not want his company."
She looked at me steadily. "You do show him that, Cordelia?"
"But of course."
"They say he is a very attractive man. I don't know much about these things myself, but I do know that in some quarters rakes are said to be attractive."
"That's a romantic fiction, Miss Hetherington. It doesn't apply to real life."
"You seem very certain."
"I am about him."
"Well, then go with the girls and see what comes of it. I can't see why he can't discuss their future with me."
That was how I came to be at the Hall on that afternoon in May which was to prove so important in the future.
I set out with Fiona and Eugenie in the early afternoon and we soon covered the few miles between the school and the Hall.
Fiona was reserved but charming; Eugenie was her usual brash self- a little peevish because she was missing the afternoon ride when she would have gone off with the party of girls among whom would be Charlotte Mackay.
When we reached the Hall we went straight to the stables. Jason Verringer was there as though impatiently awaiting us.
He helped me to dismount. "Just on time," he said. "I do like punctuality and I guess Miss Grant is the same."
One of the grooms had come forward to take the horses. Eugenie patted hers and told the groom what she wanted him to do.
"I have two new horses," said Jason to Eugenie. "I'm rather proud of them. I'll show you, Eugenie, before you go."
"I'd love to see them," cried Eugenie, looking animated and pretty suddenly.
"You shall."
As I turned I saw something lying on the cobbles and stopped to pick it up. It was an earring-very large, rather bizarre with what might have been a ruby the size of a pea surrounded by diamonds.
"Look at this!" I cried.
I held it out in the palm of my hand and the girls came to peer at it.
"I know whose it is," said Eugenie. "I've seen her wearing them. It's Mrs. Martindale's."
There was something malicious in her eyes which ill became one so young. "It is hers, isn't it, Uncle Jason?"
"I suppose it could be," he said.
"She wouldn't like to lose it," said Fiona. "What use is one without the other?"
"Shall I give it to you to give to her, Uncle Jason?" said Eugenie with a smirk. "Or I could take it to her. I could easily drop it in when I ride by tomorrow."
"Do that," said Jason Verringer. "If it is really hers she'll be glad to have it."
"I don't see who else it could belong to," said Eugenie. "Do you, Miss Grant?"
"I'm sure I don't know," I said. "I certainly have never seen it before."
Eugenie put it into her pocket. "Show us the horses, Uncle Jason," she said.
He looked at me and lifted his shoulders.
"Oh, here's Mrs. Keel. Mrs. Keel, do take Miss Grant to the sitting room. Are those books from the library there?"
"Yes, Sir Jason."
"Good. We'll be there in a minute. The girls are impatient for a glimpse of the new greys."
He started to run across the yard with the two girls at his heels. I wanted to go after them but Mrs. Keel was talking to me.
"Miss Eugenie is crazy about horses. She always was. Would you come with me, Miss Grant." I felt foolish. I guessed that he had planned just this. However, the girls had only gone to look at the horses and there was only one thing I could do and that was follow Mrs. Keel into the house.
We went into the great hall through which I had passed on that memorable occasion when I had dined with him and sat afterwards in the twilit courtyard.
We went up the great staircase with its beautifully carved newel posts displaying prominently the Tudor roses and slightly less so the fleurs-de-lys, and I was shown into a panelled room with rich red carpets and heavy red velvet curtains. There was a big carved table under a latticed window and on this had been piled several volumes. On a smaller table was a silver tea tray on which were cups and saucers.
"If you'll take a seat, Miss Grant. They won't be long and I'll bring the tea when it is rung for."
"Thank you," I said, and she went out and left me. I felt uneasy. Here was I, alone in this house and only just arrived.
I looked round the room. This was his special sanctum. There were two beautiful paintings on the walls. One of a woman - a Verringer obviously. It looked like a Gainsborough. There was a certain unmistakable look about it. The other was a landscape. There was a bookcase with glass doors. I looked at the books. Some poetry. How extraordinary! I could not imagine his reading poetry. The others were mainly history.
"Assessing my reading habits?"
I had not heard him come into the room. I swung round and saw to my dismay that he was alone. "Where are the girls?" I demanded.
"You're going to be a little bit put out, I believe. Don't blame them. You know how girls are about horses."
"I thought they were coming here to discuss ..."
"It was you who were going to do that. I didn't suggest they come in the first place. In fact I think it is better that they are not here. We can talk more frankly about them. Eugenie was mad to try out the horses and she carried Fiona along with her, so I said they might take them out and ride them in the paddock for half an hour. They'll come in for tea."
He was smiling at me with just a hint of mischievous triumph in his eyes.
So he had won again.
I was determined not to show my displeasure. In fact, if I were honest I would admit that I was glad to be rid of the girls. Eugenie could be really unpleasant and Fiona was inclined to behave as those with her and, although she was quite a docile girl when she was alone, she was slightly less so in the company of Eugenie and Charlotte Mackay.
"What is it you wish to discuss?"
"Sit down. Would you like to look at my books? I have something interesting to show you. I had them brought up from the library. I thought it would be more comfortable up here, but there are others in the collection and, as you are so interested in the Abbey, I thought I'd have them brought up to show you."
"I should like to see them of course, but first shouldn't we get on with the reason for my coming. What are you worried about concerning Fiona?"
"Worried? Certainly not worried. Just asking for help, that's all."
"But you have something in mind?"
He looked at me intently. "My mind teems with possibilities."
"Then please let me hear them and I will see if there is anything we can do at the school to help." "It is a problem for me, having the care of two girls. Particularly now they are coming of age." "I can understand that."
"A man ... on his own ... it is not easy."
"I can see it would have been less difficult if your wife had lived."
"There wasn't much she could do. She was an invalid for years, you know."
"Yes, I did know."
"I've no doubt you have had my complete dossier presented to you ... from that wicked old postmistress. I wonder I keep her there."
I was rather shocked to think that Mrs. Baddicombe should be so malicious about him, when she owed her livelihood to him, as I supposed most people in the area did.
"Wouldn't it be possible for you to ..." I began.
"Appoint a new postmistress. Certainly. This is like a little kingdom here, Cordelia. It is almost as feudal as it was in the days when my ancestors bought the abbey lands. The lands extend to the town which has only sprung into existence during the last hundred years or so. My great grandfather was deeply concerned with building projects. He rented them and increased his properties. I know that wicked old woman serves out gossip with her stamps."